1st Gen R52 Cooper Convertible The knee lever

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by jbat, Nov 4, 2013.

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  1. jbat

    jbat New Member

    Jul 2, 2013
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    My mini is sitting in a shop, they said my knee lever broke and they're saying it's like 14 hours to repair. The shop bill for that will be outrageous . Anyone here work on tops before, I've done all the work to my cars in the past, but never a soft top. Should I pay the shop, or put it up in the garage. I've got a plethora of tools and like to get messy.
     
  2. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    I don't know about the MINI top. But I completely redid the top on my VW. Replaced the cables, cleaned and painted the frame, replaced the padding, replaced the top, replaced the molding.

    It was a bit of work but nothing more was needed than a good set of hand tools and gloves so they get pinched instead of you.

    It took a long weekend.
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I'm glad you asked Nathan, I was thinking the same thing. But it may be next to the doodad.
    Wish I could help jbat
     
  5. patchelect

    patchelect New Member

    Oct 25, 2013
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    Regardless of the actual part if you are spending that much time on this job, either paying someone or DIY, maybe a new top should be factored in? Of course if the shop does it they'll just add the 6 hours on top of the already quoted job. Seems to me that a 14 hour job to fix whatever is wrong should allow the installation of the top as a free ride, just the adder for the top itself.

    And BTW, what is the original problem that brought this diagnosis in the first place?
     
  6. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    the top decided it wouldnt go down one day. One side would start to come back, but the other wouldnt. So i left it alone to not cause further damage.

    It is not in that picture. I will upload a pic of what the part is.
     
  7. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    The dealership Quoted 3500 for a New Top. That also comes with a 2yr warranty.
    So that would be cool.
     

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  8. jbat

    jbat New Member

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    shop wants 1900 to fix it. btw
     
  9. patchelect

    patchelect New Member

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    And I assume the new top price includes the repaired part? No gotchas after you agree to one thing and they tell you you still need the other?
     
  10. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    hmmmm..."knee lever". Top won't go down so you kneed the frame [thus creating the 'knee lever'] to "help" it along? Poor lil 'vert...you should be boiled in its synthetic oil....:lol::devil:
     
  11. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    LOL... when I saw the thread title, I thought it was a new technique for the track... wedging your knee against the downtube and lower dash to get more grip from the stock seats...
     
  12. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    Where is this "knee lever" located? What condition is your top in? I could think of better things to spend $3500 on (if I had it) but I like to tinker so.
     

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